The Excellent Prismatic Spray

THE EXCELLENT PRISMATIC SPRAY MAGAZINE SERIES

The XPS series features adventures, background and words of wisdom for the Dying Earth RPG. It has included articles by such luminaries and regulars as Robin D Laws, Gary Gygax, Phil Masters, Monte Cook, Ed Greenwood, Steve Long, David Thomas, Lynne Hardy & Ian Thomson. It is indispensable to fans of the Dying Earth.

• Our first issue features the much-feared Pirates of the Jhardine Coast, the Vineyards of the Scaum, Zamaranth a Turjan-level adventure set in the Forest of Da, as well as career advice from Phil Masters and hints on play by our foremost playtesters. This issue is now made most generously available as a free pdf download.
• In the second issue Robin D. Laws presents “Phasms”, an adventure for powerful arch-magicians; Gary Gygax details the influence of Jack Vance on the D&D game. Phil Masters, Steven Long, and many other stellar names present material of comparable interest.
• The third issue includes The Gold and Amber Cabal, an adventure for aspiring mages; The Valley of the Graven Tombs, laden with ghosts and curses; and The Laughing Magician, part one of a three-part adventure series in which the characters must race up the Scaum river against stiff opposition, as well as articles by Robin D Laws and Lizard.
• Ascolais and the Land of the Falling Wall is a double issue (XPS 4 & 5), cunningly disguised as an adventure supplement. This fine collection of game material includes the first published representation of the long-awaited speculative map of the Dying Earth. With contributors such as Robin D Laws, Ed Greenwood, Jeanry Chandler & Ian Thomson, and articles on vat creatures, mermelants and religion, it is the best XPS yet. Settlements across this region of the Dying Earth are detailed, with opportunities for adventure, trickery and gourmandism.
• Issue Six features an article on Vancean magic by Arcana Unearthed author Monte Cook; a d20 conversion of Dying Earth rules by Keith Baker, creator of the new Eberron campaign setting for Wizards of the Coast. Hogshead’s Mark Ricketts gives sterling advice on adding horror into your Dying Earth games. XPS 6 also includes adventures, new weapons, cults of the Dying Earth and much more. With such well-known names and an attractive layout, XPS 6 is a must for any Dying Earth player, and others besides.
• Tooth, Talon & Pinion (double issue: XPS 7 & 8) is an expose on the fauna of the Dying Earth, released as a supplement to the DERPG Compendium. Twenty creatures are detailed here by our most reliable commentators. The familiar deodand gets a new lick of paint in the Carnival of Grotesques; there are a choice of dangerous and docile pets; and you might learn the secrets of the Twk-Folk, or choose your words carefully with the Equivocal Leucomorph. Grashpotel’s walking tour enlightens us on the culinary merits of beasts, although many of his students end up on the menu. Beasts are offered with their Known Facts, reliable Scholarly Conjectures with game effects, and Adventure Hooks for unsuspecting PCs.